Elusive bats discovered roosting at St Fagans National History Museum

Two roosts of the Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat discovered at Cardiff museum - doubling the number of known sites in Wales

The Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat, which has been discovered roosting in St Fagans

Two roosts of an elusive bat have been found at two buildings at St Fagans National History Museum – doubling the known number in Wales.

Nathusius’ pipistrelle is not rare in the capital but mystery surrounds where they sleep after feeding.

Richard Crompton and Cardiff Bat Group were behind the discovery.

Mr Crompton said: “Up until a fortnight ago there were only two roosting sites known in Wales, which is pretty unusual as this bat has been recorded very widely.”

They have been spotted in the city since 2000, when they were confirmed to be breeding in the UK.

But Mr Crompton has discovered them roosting in the 16th century Stryd Lydan barn and the former gardener’s house now occupied by a charity.

“The interesting thing for us is that there are next to no known locations where these things sleep,” he said.

Danielle Cowell, learning officer at National Museum Wales, was “delighted” the bats had been found.

She said: “Our museum is a great example of how a major visitor attraction can also be a biodiversity hotspot.”

The only other confirmed roost locations are in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire and Margam Park near Port Talbot.

“With Cardiff Bat Group I have been running a project to catch some of these animals and attach radio transmitters to find where they live,” Mr Crompton said.

The creatures are caught with nets, tagged and followed with BatNav – a type of GPS system which Mr Crompton developed with his firm Wildwood Ecology.

He said the animals – the only mammals that can fly – have been seen around St Fagans, Cardiff Bay and at Llandaff meadow.

Mr Crompton said the meadow is directly alongside one of the hotspots and he is now investigating whether they roost at the site.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is planning to turn the field into a football pitch.

But Mr Crompton said a direct impact on a roost would be lighting. He said bats, which are protected by law, like the wild site because there are few homes and lights near the site.

Mr Crompton said a floodlit sports pitch would have to be regulated and said he hoped plans would be scrutinised.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is hoping to put a pitch on the site in time for students to use next year.

A spokeswoman for the university said: “There is a statutory planning process that will be adhered to before any work is carried out at this site.

“As a requirement of that process, Cardiff Metropolitan University will be required to submit a variety of reports to support the development proposal, including an eco-survey and a risk assessment to identify any potential issues.”

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